Monday, August 4, 2008

Music Monday/Toronto Week: Avenue Q

D and I spent a blissful five days in Toronto last week. This week, I'll share some of the highlights.

By far, the greatest highlight was staying at A Seaton Dream Bed and Breakfast , and meeting wonderful Jamie and Alan Read-Chua, our hosts. Soon after we had reserved our room, I got an e-mail from Alan asking if we'd like to join a group of their friends to see Avenue Q.

Would we?

Heck, yeah!

I've loved the score ever since my Swedish daughter, M, introduced me to the score on a road trip last year.

After a nice dinner with Jamie, Alan and a group of their friends, we crossed the street and slipped into our seats at the Elgin Theatre moments before the lights dimmed, and Avenue Q did not disappoint.

I loved the score because although most of the songs are comedic, they also hold important grains of truth. The stage show, however, brought new dimensions to the songs. For those who are completely unfamiliar with this unusual show, it's a modern story of young people (and Gary Coleman) living and struggling on Avenue Q, an NYC avenue so far to the Lower East Side, that it's "Q" in the alphabet (avenues in that area get less desirable the farther east you go, so you can do the math - or alphabetization - here). The show begins with a number asking "What do you do with a BA in English?", and goes on with such reality crashers as "It Sucks to be Me", "The Internet is for Porn", "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", "There's a Fine Line between Love and Nothing", and well, you get the idea. Despite what sounds like a downer, all of these songs are upbeat and set within a Sesame Street-like setting. The action is done by a mix of live actors and muppet-like puppets, including some dead ringers for Bert and Ernie who are truly hysterical. In addition, giant monitors drop down and give word explanations, just like the show, but in quite inappropriate (and hysterical) ways.

This is not a show for kids.

Let me repeat that. This is not a show for kids.

It's the only Broadway show I've been to that carries an age "warning". (I was too young for Oh Calcutta). Trust me, the warning is appropriate.

And yeah, if you've ever wondered what it looks like for muppets to go at it in a variety of sexual positions, this show's for you. 'Nuff said.

Despite that, the show is brilliant and hysterical, and I may have to see it as many times as my budget will allow.

As usual, youtube is not speaking to my blog (and if anyone can help me with this, I'd be EVER so grateful!!!), so I'm posting links to some of my favorite versions of Avenue Q songs. The Disney Princesses singing "The Internet is for Porn" is over-the-top.

I've never seen Avenue Q but I know the score after a 12 hour road trip with my flamboyantly gay friend who sang it incessantly the entire time. Complete with choreography. Have you ever tried changing lanes with someone doing jazz hands and show kicks in your face?

I am glad you had a great vacay. I'm going to take a look at the B&B for a future visit to Toronto.

Dingo, haven't had that particular driving experience, but I'm sure it was entertaining! Avenue Q rocks - you should think about it. As talented as your friend may (or may not) have been, it's such a fun show. The B&B was amazing!

Toronto is such a great city (in the summer)! Glad you had such a lovely trip there and nice to have you back! I'd never heard of that show either so I'll be on the lookout for it. The titles of the songs were definitely making me laugh.

Brittany - it's only about a 4.5 hour drive from here (not including the border crossing). I'd highly recommend it. The B&B we stayed at was at the higher end, but you can get a room for as little as $85 CN and there are tons of cheap (and excellent) food options. E-mail me if you want more info.

(Okay, those letters at the end of my last comment were added by my baby who managed to hit the keyboard JUST as I was clicking on publish. I guess he missed you too, and wanted you to know that he's also glad that you're back.)

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AlternativeU is an (in process) nonprofit designed to help find useful, income-generating or debt free education experiences for 18- to 24-year-olds who do not choose to follow the traditional college route.